Systems and methods for securing construction site scaffolding

Abstract

Systems and methods for securing ring lock scaffolding to conventional formwork with a unique adapter that couples the ring lock scaffolding to the conventional formwork in a manner that enables the adapter to be positioned anywhere along the formwork for improved flexibility, stability and safety. The adapter enables ring lock scaffolding to be re-used on multiple construction projects without the need for stand-alone systems that are expensive and / or timely to construct.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURING CONSTRUCTION SITE SCAFFOLDINGRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for securing construction site scaffolding. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize a unique adapter to couple ring lock scaffolding to conventional formwork in a manner that enables the adapter to be positioned anywhere along the formwork for improved flexibility, stability and safety. The adapter enables ring lock scaffolding to be re-used on multiple construction projects without the need for stand-alone systems that are expensive and / or timely to construct.BACKGROUND

[0003] Current systems for securing construction site scaffolding to conventional formwork include disposable systems that do not allow ring lock scaffolding to be used / reused and stand-alone systems that are expensive and / or timely to construct. In FIG. 1, for example, a conventional formwork / scaffolding system manufactured by Doka® is illustrated. The system is simple and includes formwork 100 and scaffolding 101, wherein the scaffolding 101 comprises multiple brackets 102, disposable walkway boards 104 and disposable handrail boards 106. Each bracket 102 is secured to the formwork 100 by a horizontal member 108 that is attached at one end 110 to a horizontal member 112 of the formwork 100 at a predetermined attachment point. Each bracket 102 also includes an angled member 114 with one end 116 adapted to simply rest on a vertical member 113 of the formwork 100. The disposable walkway boards 104 are secured to the1008643.00092069029493horizontal member 108 of two or more respective brackets 102 and the disposable handrail boards 106 are secured to another angled member 118 of two or more respective brackets 102.

[0004] Although the system illustrated in FIG. 1 may be simple, there are many disadvantages. For example, the scaffolding 101 is limited to use with the specific formwork 100.The walkway size and its vertical positioning on the formwork 100 are also limited by the design of the bracket 102. And because a reusable ring lock scaffolding system cannot be used with the formwork 100, most of the scaffolding 101 must be replaced over time or a stand-alone system used — both adding to the cost. Additionally, the scaffolding 101 presents a safety hazard because it creates an open space between the walkway boards 104 and the formwork 100 through which tools may fall. The angled member 118 on each bracket 102, which allows only 2 handrails at fixed elevations, also presents an obvious safety hazard as do the walkway boards 104 and handrail boards 106 when they become warped, rotted and / or split.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The detailed description is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like reference numbers, and in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional formwork / scaffolding system.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of an adapter for securing ring lock scaffolding to conventional formwork.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of the adapter in FIG. 2 further illustrating an adjustable coupling sleeve for the adapter.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a back view of the adapter in FIG 3.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a top view of the adapter in FIG.3.2008643.00092069029493

[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the adapter in FIG. 2 used to secure ring lock scaffolding to conventional formwork.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The subject matter of the present disclosure is described with specificity, however, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The subject matter thus, might also be embodied in other ways, to include different structures, steps and / or combinations similar to and / or fewer than those described herein, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Although the term “step” may be used herein to describe different elements of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless otherwise expressly limited by the description to a particular order. Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Further, the illustrated figures are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environment, architecture, design, or process in which different embodiments may be implemented.

[0013] The systems and methods disclosed herein overcome the prior art disadvantages associated with current systems for securing construction site scaffolding to conventional formwork by using a unique adapter to couple ring lock scaffolding to conventional formwork in a manner that enables the adapter to be positioned anywhere along the formwork for improved flexibility, stability and safety. The adapter enables ring lock scaffolding to be re-used on multiple construction projects without the need for stand-alone systems that are expensive and / or timely to construct.3008643.00092069029493

[0014] In one embodiment, an adapter for securing ringlock scaffolding to formwork is disclosed, which comprises: i) a first clamp assembly comprising: a base plate, a fixed jaw attached to one side of the base plate, an adjustable jaw coupled to the fixed jaw, a flange with a plurality of openings attached to another side of the base plate, and a stabilizing sleeve attached to the another side of the base plate, the stabilizing sleeve extending beyond one end of the base plate and including a lateral opening therethrough; ii) a second clamp assembly comprising: a base plate, a fixed jaw attached to one side of the base plate, an adjustable jaw coupled to the fixed jaw, and a stabilizing sleeve attached to another side of the base plate, the stabilizing sleeve extending beyond one end of the base plate and including a lateral opening therethrough; and iii) an adjustable coupling sleeve, the adjustable coupling sleeve coupled to i) the first clamp assembly by a bolt secured through the lateral opening in the stabilizing sleeve for the first clamp assembly and a lateral opening through the coupling sleeve and ii) the second clamp assembly by another bolt secured through the lateral opening in the stabilizing sleeve for the second clamp assembly and a lateral slot through the coupling sleeve.

[0015] In another embodiment, a method for securing ringlock scaffolding to formwork is disclosed, which comprises: i) securing a plurality of adapters to the ringlock scaffolding at ground level, each of the plurality of adapters including a first clamp assembly adjustably coupled to a second clamp assembly; and ii) resecuring the plurality of adapters and the ringlock scaffolding to the formwork by attaching each first clamp assembly to a third horizontal member of the formwork and attaching each second clamp assembly to a fourth horizontal member of the formwork below the third horizontal member.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, one embodiment of an adapter 200 for securing ring lock scaffolding to conventional formwork is illustrated. All components identified herein as being4008643.00092069029493attached may be attached by any well-known means for the intended purpose such as, for example, by welding.

[0017] The adaptor 200 includes a first clamp assembly 202 comprising a base plate 204, a fixed jaw 206 attached to one side 208 of the base plate 204, an adjustable jaw 210 coupled to the fixed jaw 206, a flange 212 with a plurality of openings 500 attached to another side 214 of the base plate 204, and a stabilizing sleeve 216 attached to the another side 214 of the base plate 204.The adjustable jaw 210 is preferably coupled to the fixed jaw 206 by a threaded bolt 215 that is attached to the fixed jaw 206 and passes through an opening in the adjustable jaw 210, which is secured by a nut 217. The adjustable jaw 210, however, may be coupled to the fixed jaw 206 by any other well-known adjustable means. The flange 212 preferably includes a radius 501, however, it may include different dimensions. The plurality of openings 500 in the flange 212 are configured to include at least two different sizes adapted to secure the ring lock scaffolding to the flange 212 by a wedge passing through one of the plurality of openings 500 and the ring lock scaffolding. The stabilizing sleeve 216 extends beyond at least one end 218 of the base plate 204 and includes a lateral opening 302 therethrough.

[0018] The adaptor 200 further includes a second clamp assembly 222 comprising a base plate 224, a fixed jaw 226 attached to one side 228 of the base plate 224, an adjustable jaw 230 coupled to the fixed jaw 226, and a stabilizing sleeve 232 attached to another side 234 of the base plate 224. The adjustable jaw 230 is preferably coupled to the fixed jaw 226 by a threaded bolt 221 that is attached to the fixed jaw 226 and passes through an opening in the adjustable jaw 230, which is secured by a nut 223. The adjustable jaw 230, however, may be coupled to the fixed jaw 226 by any other well-known adjustable means. The stabilizing sleeve 232 extends beyond at least one end 236 of the base plate 224 and includes a lateral opening 304 therethrough.5008643.00092069029493

[0019] Each adjustable jaw 210, 230 preferably includes a first half 502, a second half 504 and a base 506 with the opening for receipt of the respective bolt 215, 221. The first half 502 and the second half 504 are attached to the base 506 in parallel and opposite one another relative to the opening. Each fixed jaw 206, 226 preferably includes a width 508 that is less than a distance 510 between the first half 502 and the second half 504 of the respective adjustable jaw 210, 230. The first clamp assembly 202 is thus, aligned with the second clamp assembly 222 when the ring lock scaffolding is secured to the form work by the first clamp assembly 202 and the second clamp assembly 222.

[0020] An adjustable coupling sleeve 240 may be used to couple the first clamp assembly 202 to the second clap assembly 222 in a manner that enables the adapter 200 to be vertically adjusted to secure the ring lock scaffolding to form work with different horizontal spacing. The adjustable coupling sleeve 240 is preferably coupled to i) the first clamp assembly 202 by a bolt 242 secured through the lateral opening 302 in the stabilizing sleeve 216 for the first clamp assembly 202 and a lateral opening 306 through the coupling sleeve 240 and ii) the second clamp assembly 222 by another bolt 246 secured through the lateral opening 304 in the stabilizing sleeve 232 for the second clamp assembly 222 and a lateral slot 308 through the coupling sleeve 240.Each bolt 242, 246 may be secured by a nut, cotter pin or any other well-known securing means. Each stabilizing sleeve 216, 232 and the adjustable coupling sleeve 240 are preferably tubular. Each stabilizing sleeve 216, 232 may include a radius larger than a radius of the adjustable coupling sleeve 240. Alternatively, each stabilizing sleeve 216, 232 may include a radius smaller than a radius of the adjustable coupling sleeve 240.

[0021] Referring now to FIG.6, a perspective view of the adapter 200 being used to secure ring lock scaffolding 602 to conventional formwork is illustrated. The formwork includes a6008643.00092069029493plurality of horizontal members 604a-604d and a plurality of vertical members 606, each attached to a stabilizing wall 608 used to contain poured concrete. A plurality of adapters 200 may be secured to the ring lock scaffolding 602 at ground level by a wedge 610 passing through one of the plurality of openings 500 in the flange 212 for each first clamp assembly 202 and a respective proximal upper end 612 of the ring lock scaffolding 602 closest to the formwork. The plurality of adapters 200 and ring lock scaffolding 602 may be secured to the formwork at a designated height by attaching each first clamp assembly 202 to a first horizontal member 604a of the formwork and attaching each second clamp assembly 222 to a second horizontal member 604b of the formwork below the first horizontal member 604a. Each first clamp assembly 202 is configured to attach to any lateral position along the first horizontal member 604a of the formwork. Likewise, each second clamp assembly 222 is configured to attach to any lateral position along the second horizontal member 604b of the formwork. Preferably, the first horizontal member 604a is adjacent the second horizontal member 604b.

[0022] Once work is complete at the designated height where the ring lock scaffolding 602 was secured to the formwork, the plurality of adaptors 200 and ring lock scaffolding 602 may be removed and reused at another designated height by attaching each first clamp assembly 202 to a third horizontal member 604c of the formwork and attaching each second clamp assembly 222 to a fourth horizontal member 604d of the formwork below the third horizontal member 604c.Preferably, the third horizontal member 604a is adjacent the fourth horizontal member 604b.

[0023] Because the systems and methods described herein enable ring lock scaffolding to be secured to conventional formwork by the adaptor 200, a broad range of advantages are realized over other conventional scaffolding used today. For example, the adaptor 200 enables a great deal of flexibility when dealing with formwork that may have different horizontal spacing between its7008643.00092069029493horizontal members. Moreover, the adaptor 200 may be attached to any lateral position along each horizontal member for improved flexibility, stability and safety. The adapter 200 enables ring lock scaffolding to be re-used on multiple construction projects without the need for stand-alone systems that are expensive and / or timely to construct.

[0024] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not intended to limit the disclosure of those embodiments. For example, the systems described herein may be used to secure ring lock scaffolding to any convention formwork. It is, therefore, contemplated that various alternative embodiments and modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.8008643.00092069029493

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adapter for securing ringlock scaffolding to formwork, comprising:a first clamp assembly comprising: a base plate, a fixed jaw attached to one side of the base plate, an adjustable jaw coupled to the fixed jaw, a flange with a plurality of openings attached to another side of the base plate, and a stabilizing sleeve attached to the another side of the base plate, the stabilizing sleeve extending beyond one end of the base plate and including a lateral opening therethrough;a second clamp assembly comprising: a base plate, a fixed jaw attached to one side of the base plate, an adjustable jaw coupled to the fixed jaw, and a stabilizing sleeve attached to another side of the base plate, the stabilizing sleeve extending beyond one end of the base plate and including a lateral opening therethrough; andan adjustable coupling sleeve, the adjustable coupling sleeve coupled to i) the first clamp assembly by a bolt secured through the lateral opening in the stabilizing sleeve for the first clamp assembly and a lateral opening through the coupling sleeve and ii) the second clamp assembly by another bolt secured through the lateral opening in the stabilizing sleeve for the second clamp assembly and a lateral slot through the coupling sleeve.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adjustable jaw of the first clamp assembly is coupled to the fixed jaw of the first clamp assembly by a threaded bolt attached to the fixed jaw and a nut, the threaded bolt passing through an opening in the adjustable jaw.

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the adjustablejaw of the second clamp assembly is coupled to the fixed jaw of the second clamp assembly by a threaded bolt attached to the fixed jaw and a nut, the threaded bolt passing through an opening in the adjustablejaw.9008643.000920690294934. The adapter of claim 3, wherein each adjustable jaw includes a first half, a second half and a base with the opening, the first half and the second half attached to the base in parallel and opposite one another relative to the opening.

5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein each fixed jaw includes a width that is less than a distance between the first half and the second half of the respective adjustable jaw.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the flange includes a radius and the plurality of openings in the flange include at least two different sizes.

7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein each stabilizing sleeve is tubular.

8. The adapter of claim 7, wherein the adjustable coupling sleeve is tubular.

9. The adapter of claim 8, wherein each stabilizing sleeve includes a radius larger than a radius of the adjustable coupling sleeve.

10. The adapter of claim 8, wherein each stabilizing sleeve includes a radius smaller than a radius of the adjustable coupling sleeve.

11. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first clamp assembly is aligned with the second clamp assembly.

12. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the ringlock scaffolding is coupled to the flange by a wedge passing through the ringlock scaffolding and one of the plurality of openings in the flange.

13. The adapter of claim 12, wherein the ringlock scaffolding is secured to the formwork by the first clamp assembly and the second clamp assembly.

14. A method for securing ringlock scaffolding to formwork, comprising:securing a plurality of adapters to the ringlock scaffolding at ground level, each of the plurality of adapters including a first clamp assembly adjustably coupled to a second clamp assembly; and10008643.00092069029493securing the plurality of adapters and ringlock scaffolding to the formwork by attaching each first clamp assembly to a first horizontal member of the formwork and attaching each second clamp assembly to a second horizontal member of the formwork below the first horizontal member.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein each first clamp assembly is configured to attach to any lateral position along the first horizontal member of the formwork.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein each second clamp assembly is configured to attach to any lateral position along the second horizontal member of the formwork.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the ringlock scaffolding is coupled to each first clamp assembly.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:removing the plurality of adapters and ringlock scaffolding from the formwork; and resecuring the plurality of adapters and the ringlock scaffolding to the formwork by attaching each first clamp assembly to a third horizontal member of the formwork and attaching each second clamp assembly to a fourth horizontal member of the formwork below the third horizontal member.

19. The method if claim 14, wherein the first horizontal member of the form work is adjacent the second horizontal member of the formwork.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the third horizontal member of the formwork is adjacent the fourth horizontal member of the formwork.11008643.00092069029493

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